NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city is about to lose its third city clerk in just over a year. 

 

Joshua Vallieres submitted his resignation on Friday effective May 5, writing that he was planning to start a family and seeking a "better work/life balance."

 

He was sworn in on July 27 last year after several months as the assistant and then acting clerk.

 

"This has been one of the most professionally satisfying times in my life, and I am grateful to the offices,

boards, and individuals that have been there in support of this tremendous learning experience," he wrote in his letter. 

 

Vallieres is the latest in a series of clerks who have quit the office before completing their three-year terms. 

 

He was hired on May 11 last year as the assistant clerk to City Clerk Marcus Lyon, who left only months later in mid-June. Lyon, hired as assistant clerk in 2021, was promoted on the departure of Cathleen King in February 2022 after less than a year on the job.

 

She had been preceded by Deborah Pedercini, who departed after two years for a job as executive director of the Lee Housing Authority. 

 

Lyon had publicly stated that some of the reasons for his and King's departure had to do with working conditions, including harassment from certain councilors. The recent clerks have also spoken about the sometimes overwhelming duties that the clerk's office is responsible for. 

 

Prior to that, the city had two long-term clerks. Marilyn Gomeau, now town clerk in Clarksburg, had been in the post for more than 15 years and had spent 20 as the assistant. She had succeeded MaryAnn Abuisi, who had the second-longest term in the post at 28 years. 

 

"Thank you to everyone who put their trust and faith in me to hold this appointed position. I wish my successor well, and will be open to providing the same level of support as all the former City Clerks had given me," Vallieres wrote. 

 

He said he plans to remain involved in the city as a constituent. He had been elected to the School Committee in 2021 but was forced to resign this past December when it was realized a city ordinance prohibited an employee of the city to also hold a paid elected position. The School Committee receives a stipend.